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Yuengling is a macrobrew, which means it is produced in huge quantities, with an aim for consistent flavor between batches. It's a relatively small player compared to the Miller/Bud/Coors crowd, but it's definitely a mass market, mass produced beer. It's also quite good. The Yuengling brewery also make interesting seasonal and speciality beers, which is a bit different from other Macrobrews.

The reason Yeugnling is sort of an outlier is that it's one of the last traditional regional breweries. Even 40-50 years ago, this would have been the most common type of beer bought, but market consolidation kicked in hard in the 60s and 70s, leaving only a handful of national breweries.

It's not a high end beer though, which is fine. It's a cheap and tasty brew that's widely available, which is a good thing in its own right.

For me, it's the Chipotle of beer. Chipotle is really good, but it's still glorified fast food.

 gorgon wrote:
And this is pretty much the reason why. Went to a beer fest earlier this year and it really hit home how many bad IPAs and craft brewers there are. IMO, there's an IPA "bubble" that's going to burst soon, as beer hipsterism fades and people start asking themselves if they really like what they're drinking.

I get accusations of snobbery towards craft beer fans, but I'll never understand the suspicion that we're all hipsters that don't even like what we're drinking.

I like IPAs. I enjoy drinking them, in that I dig the taste. Most people that drink IPAs are doing it for the same reason, because there is literally no upside to pretending to like IPAs.

Sure I''ve pretended to like some hipster music to get with a girl, or look cooler, but nobody thinks you'll look cool because of your beer. And if you look at craft beer fans, they're not exactly the kind of people whose approval I crave.

Maybe you need to make your peace with the idea that different people have different tastes.

 gorgon wrote:

 Polonius wrote:

 gorgon wrote:
And this is pretty much the reason why. Went to a beer fest earlier this year and it really hit home how many bad IPAs and craft brewers there are. IMO, there's an IPA "bubble" that's going to burst soon, as beer hipsterism fades and people start asking themselves if they really like what they're drinking.

I get accusations of snobbery towards craft beer fans, but I'll never understand the suspicion that we're all hipsters that don't even like what we're drinking.

I like IPAs. I enjoy drinking them, in that I dig the taste. Most people that drink IPAs are doing it for the same reason, because there is literally no upside to pretending to like IPAs.

Sure I''ve pretended to like some hipster music to get with a girl, or look cooler, but nobody thinks you'll look cool because of your beer. And if you look at craft beer fans, they're not exactly the kind of people whose approval I crave.

Maybe you need to make your peace with the idea that different people have different tastes.

I'm glad you noticed I was talking about *YOU* and took it so personally.

I was extrapolating my experience into a greater point. So, I drink IPAs because I like them, as do the people I associate with that drink IPAs.

I have evidence that there is no "hipsterism." Do you have anything to suggest that people are actually drinking beers they don't like?

Oh, and "you took it so personally" is just code for "I know I said something dumb, but I'd rather focus on your reaction than my dumb statement."

The IPA boom is a bit of a cause for concern for some in the community, but it's not a bubble. Bubbles are based on speculation, and people are buying (and presumably drinking/enjoying) lots of IPAs. This could be a fad, but I think it goes deeper than that.

Despite the name, IPAs are a distinctly American style, and are distinct from American pilsners (the common style for Bud/Coors/Miller/etc). They are "bigger" beers in nearly every way: higher ABV, hoppier, and increased malt complexity. What they share with the pilsner is a preference for freshness (many ales age well, while at least brewery is making beers where the name is literally "Enjoy by 8/15/15" or something similar), and also a profound balance. IPAs are not heavy, and they are quite quaffable if you can get past the hops. They are also best served cold, much like a pilsner.

In short, for all the difference in taste and marketing, an IPA is a shockingly good warm weather beer, and perfect for parties and cookouts.

 Chief Tugboat wrote:
I've never had Yuengling Lager (or heard of it) but I do love all the competition nowadays in the beer world. I prefer the craft beers usually, although my favorite macrobrew flavor is Bud Light Lime. Its just so damn refreshing!!

I prefered Miller Chill (the same basic thing), but pilsners make great bases for shandies and malt beverages. My wife will drink some of the coors with fruit beers, and I'll admit, they can be tasty on a hot day, and at ~4%, they are quite sessionable.

If you ever see it around, Dogfish Head's 90 minute IPA is spectacular, especially with a nice cigar!

You're my new best friend.

A big IPA, which the 90 Minute is a fantastic example, pairs extremely well with a full bodied cigar. I had just that pair a few weeks ago.

Saturday was Victory Dirtwolf IPA, which is one of my personal favorite IPAs, along with Sixpointe Resin, Great Lakes Commodore Perry, and Fatheads Headhunter.

 gorgon wrote:

On a serious note, I thought that it could go without saying that people are allowed to like what they like. But if you don't think there's hipsterism going on with craft brewed IPAs...we're just going to have to agree to disagree on that point. Personally I think it's as obvious (and about as played out) as ironic facial hair on bartenders.

I guess maybe I should ask what you mean by "hipster-ism." I dont' want to presume I know what you mean, so maybe if you could explain that term, we might see more eye to eye.

Beyond the hipsterism, it just doesn't seem healthy for craft brewing to be so heavily reliant on one variety (which is probably more accurately described as a subvariety) of beer for their profitability. I wish more beer drinkers would explore the many interesting beers beyond the IPA. I think that'd ultimately be better for everyone involved. When I see intense interest and focus on a very narrow niche -- I see a worm that's going to turn at some point. *shrug*

that's certainly not a unique concern, but I'm not sure it's a valid one. IPA sales, even in the world of craft beer, aren't as huge as you think. This article suggests about 25% of craft beer sales are due to IPAs:

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/02/20/craft-beer-drinkers-are-still-flocking-to-ipas-.html

It also shows that IPA sales increased even mroe than over all craft beer sales, which suggests that there is still enough diversity to grow the market. (or that IPAs are causing people buy more craft beer). I now some regions are more IPA laden than others, but I'm a serious beer drinker, and at most beer bars IPAs don't dominate the taps like you'd think.

And tastes always change. In 1984, I'd have loved to own a piece of the Wine Cooler market. Now? Deader than dead. I'm sure it'll level out. The real craft beer avant gard is all over sours as the next big thing, so we'll see how that goes. Even if interest in IPAs wanes, craft beer would be left in a good position.

Would you like a "ready or not, here I come" before I come after you and everything you stand for, Polonius?

Come at me bro!


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 cincydooley wrote:

@Polonius --> Remind me to send you a 4 pack of Galaxy or Citra High when they're released next year. Big, delicious IPAs that, IMO rival the best that the West Coast or 333Fs produces.

I never got around to visiting the natti for a beer tour, although I've heard great things. Ohio is actually a really great beer state in general.

How do you feel about Great Lakes Lake Erie Monster?

I never made it to the Brew Kettle brewing, but the White Raja was my back up at the super-hipster taco place I used to go to in Lakewood. (Resin was my go-to). White Raja is goooood.

I used to live 10 minutes from the Fat heads brew pub, so I feel in love hard with the Headhunter. After about six (or maybe seven) of those, I was "responsibly served." Lol.

I'm digging heavy seas. Duclaws isn't as much my taste, but I went to one of their restaurants and had $30, 21 beer sampler. That was epic!

 Chief Tugboat wrote:
It is interesting how many grown men (ie 35+ me being 23 yrs.) literally ask me what I drink and then get that. Maybe because I'm behind the bar so I know whats "good" but good is very subjective.

All in a days work.

That's bizarre! I feel that an adult should have a list of go-to drinks for any situation. Varietal of wine (Reisling or gewurtzaminer), craft beer style (IPA), macro brew (Labatt/Guinness/Yuengling), well drink (gin and tonic), cocktail (bulleit Manhatten), and sipping whiskey (Jameson).

If a bar is slow, I might ask the bartender for a recommendation, or if there's a house speciality. But I know that not making a clear order is usually frowned upon.

 cincydooley wrote:

 Daba wrote:
I drank IPAs (well, Old Empire, a UK beer by Marstons) before it was cool. Does that make me some kind of super-hipster?

It does. It also entitles you to a mega-beard and a lifetime supply of PBR.

keep in mind, American IPAs have only a passing resemblence to the tradtional style.